On a flawless night for Arsenal it was only their stadium disc jockey who fluffed his lines. He was so desperate to unleash Teenage Kicks at full-time that he pressed play fractionally too early. The crowd, however, had already got theirs from a group of players who were not even twinkles in their fathers' eyes when the Undertones released their hit single.

The feel-good factor at the club is not confined to the first team. Arsène Wenger had rung the changes from the side that restored morale in the Premier League against Manchester United on Saturday and he watched his second string produce a performance full of sumptuous class. Arsenal's support could revel in the midfield vision of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere and the silky touch of Carlos Vela up front while they could also celebrate Jay Simpson's first goals for the club.

With the stroll almost at its conclusion and a Mexican wave rippling round the ground, it was tempting to wonder how this team might fare over the course of a 38-game Premier League season. The Wigan manager, Steve Bruce, muttered about how he had "three or four [players] under the weather" and that Johan Djourou, the Arsenal defender, ought to have been penalised for a daft handball inside the penalty area with the score at 1-0. Yet he had long recognised that resistance was futile.

"Arsenal were frightening on the night," Bruce conceded. "We will always compete but Arsène Wenger has said that this is the best crop of youngsters he has had and that's some compliment. We've had our backsides kicked."

Wenger said he had "enjoyed every minute of it" and he was not the only one. Wilshere, the 16-year-old prodigy, who played on the right despite his more natural foot being the left, thrilled with his skills and wonderful balance. Fabio Capello, seated in the stands, will have noted one for the future, which is what Wilshere's man-of-the-match bottle of champagne had to be, too.

"He is a different type of player [from Cesc Fábregas]; he is more of a dribbler where Cesc was more of a passer [at 16]," said Wenger. "Wilshere has more changes of direction but they could play good football together."

Bruce paid Arsenal the respect of starting with a five-man midfield, in the absence of the injured Emile Heskey, but little could stem the tide. He noted that Arsenal "created more chances against us than any other side this season" and Chris Kirkland, the goalkeeper who appeared to be hampered by his persistent back problem, excelled to keep his team in contention.

He stood up to deny Vela in the early running, after the Mexican had been put through by Fran Merida and had tried to round him. After Simpson had rattled the crossbar Kirkland saved smartly from the marauding Kieran Gibbs, a Ramsey free-kick and a curling shot from Vela. The breakthrough was inevitable and it arrived just before half-time.

Wilshere's quality shone brightly, his through-ball encouraging Simpson to strain every sinew to get there ahead of the covering Mario Melchiot and the advancing Kirkland. He did so, to mark his full debut with an indelible memory. More would follow in the second half. Ramsey turned defence into attack by releasing Vela and Simpson, having lost his marker Titus Bramble, crashed home the cut-back.

"Jay has shown his character and his physical strength," said Wenger, whose only disappointment was that the midfielder Tomas Rosicky has had to undergo further surgery to a damaged tendon above the knee that will keep him out for at least eight more weeks. "Jay was the player of the year last season [on loan] at Millwall and he has shown he is a good player."

Vela added the gloss finish with an exquisite chip and, when Lukasz Fabianski tipped Amr Zaki's volley on to the crossbar and away, Bruce was denied even the merest of consolations. Wigan are back here in the league early next month. "Don't remind me," said Bruce. "We will have to be decidedly better."